Kevin Baker

Man, talk about a differnce. Probably had 1/8 inch play at the wheels. Took it all apart, cleaned out the old grease, repacked them and man what a big difference.

Everybody wonders about the adjustment. The manual says to tighten the lock thing down until the thrust washer will just move with a screwdriver. After playing with it, I found that they mean the washer should JUST move lateraly. They feel MUCH tighter than I thought they should, compared with how they were before I took them apart.

Couple of interesting side notes. Inner bearing is the same as the big end mains on a Harley Davidson, and the same as a 70's Nissan 260Z. I'm sure they have several other applications as well.

Peckster

I thought my front end was starting to go, and all it needed was a minute bearing adjustment.

Matt H

I usually tighten all the way down then back off 1/2 turn or so.
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Zero10

Jeez, laterally. I wish they said that explicitly in the factory manuals.
I thought they meant rotationally. No wonder I have some looseness in my front end. I just repacked and reassembled mine, seemed a lot tighter, but still too loose, now I know why.... *SMACK*
I tightened mine until I could just rotate the washer.... jeez.

Well, thanks for the tip, when I replace my other wheel bearings next weekend, I'll be sure to fix them!

Yabo

yeha thats too loose zero. Why didn't you just replace the bearings? I would always replace rather than just repack.. when it takes all of like 20 bucks if that to do a wheel of bearings.

Peckster

$20? I think they're a lot more than that.

Don 944 LA

I checked mine and I can move the wheel back and forth....

But on the drivers side, the wheel moves ( steering wheel locked ) abot 3 inches. The rod that goes to the rack is where the play is. It just goes in and out of the rack..
Does this mean that I need a new/rebuilt rack ???

This was not the time to quit my job.

Yabo

Umm. it was like.. 14 for the inner and 6 for the outer i think. Sorry, maybe 23 with the dust seal? (i was saying per wheel cost).

Yabo

from pelican.,....

Front Wheel Bearing, Outer, 944/968 (1987-95), Each
K-059-089-01 $7.50

Front Wheel Bearing, Inner, 944/968 (1987-95), Each
K-059-090-00 $8.75

Front Wheel Bearing Seal, 924/944/968 (1977-95), Each [Photo]
477-405-641 $4.25

Yabo

sorry. 20.50

Kevin Baker

Don, you proll just need inner and outer tie rod ends. If you are leaking power steering fluid Travis (Rennbay) makes a rack rebuild kit that rocks.

As for replace/repack wheel bearings, the only time you NEED to replace them is if the bearings themselves are pitted, or scored, or the races have been pitted. Bearings should be available at most any auto part store. IIRC inner is A13 outer is A2. I know the inner is the same for a 70's Datsun 260Z. Seals are common as cowsh!t too.

Yabo

Yeap i got them at local parts store. I guess my philosophy is if, you are in there, and it's cheap. Do it and save the worrying later on.

fezz

manual says you should be able to move the thrust washer.
tighten them more, they tend to loosen when the wheel heats up.

you can see the play at the inner tie rod ball jt., it will make a clicking noise too.

ilikemy944

Yea Don - inner tie rod end is most likely culprit.
They are cheap compared to a rack, and are fairly easy to replace. Just need an alignment afterwards